A rally will begin at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church in Suffolk, Virginia at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 6

It has become a societal norm, but an absentee father isn’t something from which a child will ever recover.

It takes a toll on every aspect of a child’s life — relationally, academically and spiritually.

The Y2K Academy was created to help temper and prevent many of those effects, and is holding “Fathers as First Teachers on the First Day of School” to target getting fathers involved in their children’s education.

“Children respond to their father’s genuine care and concern about their goals and life expectations with a different commitment level than they do their mothers,” Academy founder Princella Johnson said. “Mothers provide emotional support and nurturing, but they’re greatly impacted by fathers to validate and set their dreams and goals. That’s why it’s imperative we have fathers on the front lines…”

The rally will include a wide array of educational and motivational speakers, including Lakeland High School football coach Glenwood Ferebee to talk about how, with the shooting of one of his students, crime has impacted his team this year. Michelle Bell, who is superintendent for Franklin Public Schools, will also speak, and Seneca Bock of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy will discuss prevention of childhood obesity.

Read More: http://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2010/08/24/group-calls-on-dads/